Women’s Boxing Gaining Traction and More Female Fight News

 

By David A. Avila

While most of the sports world slowed down, boxing kept trudging along especially women’s prizefighting.

Bulging with cash in his pockets, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing was able push the female prizefighting agenda forward with a number of big matchups for his fighters like Terri Harper, Rachel Ball, and of course Katie Taylor.

This Friday, his promotion company will stream, via DAZN, Shannon Courtenay in a six round super bantamweight bout against Dorota Norek. Earlier in the year Courtenay was in a superb matchup against Ball that she lost arguably by decision. There was only one judge, the referee, and he made the call.

Courtenay has good boxing skills and despite her diminutive height, knows how to make it an advantage. She’s worth watching.

Million Dollar Fighter

Matchboxing has taken advantage of the worldwide epidemic to push the women’s agenda and no one can fault them. Almost all women except Taylor are paid less than men on average. The undisputed lightweight champion Taylor now makes around $1 million a crack.

Taylor is the real million-dollar baby.

Every time she laces up it becomes an event. Her fight last month against Spain’s Miriam Gutierrez drew millions of viewers worldwide. Fans of female boxing were ecstatic and other women prizefighters know it’s just a matter of time before others crack that barrier too.

I recall many arguing that it would never happen, yet here we are.

Nine years ago, when MMA’s Ronda Rousey exploded on the fight scene, she quickly became the first female prizefighter to make a million dollars, though UFC refused to publicize her actual purse.

Many including myself claimed boxing could do the same with female boxers. Most promoters said it could not be done. They all said this without ever trying to do it. Just last year an elite promoter reiterated that same statement that women cannot draw. There is a difference between drawing ticket buyers at an arena and drawing viewers on television or streaming devices.

That is one major difference from 10 years ago that we did not know then, but know now.

It’s clear now that women prizefighters can draw but they need to be shown on television or streaming networks to gain attention. Also, they need to fight the best and not settle for lackluster competition. No more matching undefeated fighters against subpar competition.

Ireland’s Taylor assisted by Matchroom has laid out the blueprint for success. Put the best against the best. Don’t waste television or streaming time with lackluster fights.

Prizefighting has always had one major asset that never fails: good and exciting fights are appreciated. Give me a Taylor versus Delfine Persoon anytime. Or a Seniesa Estrada versus Marlen Esparza. Blood and guts sell.

If fans can predict easily who will win a fight, then that fight is not worth doing. Each moment on television is precious. Don’t waste it.

Mikaela Mayer Unchained

New WBO super featherweight titlist Mikaela Mayer is the guest this week on the 2-min Round podcast show live on Thursday Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Coast Time.

Mayer doesn’t pull punches and now that she has a world title has a lot to say about the other world title-holders in her weight division and others. Don’t miss it. She will be live.

Here is a little background on Mayer: she is a former 2016 USA Olympian originally from Southern California and now living in Colorado. She is promoted by Top Rank and her fights have been shown many times on ESPN. You can look up her fights on YouTube.com or ESPN.

TV fight in L.A.

A battle between two cruiserweights pits Danielle Perkins and Princess Hairston at the Wild Card Gym parking lot on Thursday Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. PT It will be televised by NBC Sports Network.

Each have one fight and one knockout win.

Tune in. It should be exciting.

Super fly

Stephanie Chavez, a super flyweight from Southern California, has signed a managerial contract with Peter Kahn of Fight Game Advisors.

“Stephanie is a work in progress, extremely coachable and has a knack to adapt. At just 19 years old, although having a limited amateur career, what she lacks in experience she has in potential. Successful amateur careers can be an illusion. Stephanie’s a fighter and will continue to improve,” said Kahn.

Chavez lives in Orange, Calif. and spars with super star Seniesa Estrada.

“Sparring with Seniesa has taught me so much, she’s extremely talented and working with her has made me a much better fighter,” said Chavez, 19, who currently has three wins and one loss as a pro.

 

Other Female Fight News

Australia

On Thursday Dec.3, bantamweights Shannon O’Connell (19-6-1) and Kori Farr (3-4-2) meet 10 rounds for the vacant British Commonwealth title at Fortitude Valley, Queensland. O’Connell is coming off a knockout win and is a world title challenger.

 

Belgium

On Saturday Dec. 5, super middleweights Femke Hermans (10-3) and Luiza Davydova (3-1) meet 10 rounds for EBU title at Wavre.

 

Bolivia

On Saturday Dec. 5, flyweights Maribel Ribera (10-6) and Sofia Wells (0-0) meet eight rounds at Trinidad. Also, flyweights Carla Campos (0-1) and Denisse Gonzalez (0-0) meet six rounds.

 

Brazil

On Friday Dec. 4, featherweights Danila Ramos (8-2) and Simone Aparecida (17-15) meet 10 rounds at Sao Paulo. Also, super lightweights Rosa Volante (14-1) and Halanna dos Santos (14-7) meet eight rounds.

 

France

Estelle Mossely (8-0) defeated Emma Gongora (0-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Nov. 28. The lightweight match was held in Nantes. Also, Victoire Piteau (7-1) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Emilie Beaugard (1-3) to win the French featherweight title.

 

Japan

Mariko Nakamura (1-0) was the winner by majority decision after four rounds against Sawako Fukuhara (0-1) on Thursday Nov.26. The minimum weight fight took place in Tokyo.

Kanako Tabuchi (2-0) beat Aoi Watanabe (2-4) by majority decision after four rounds on Monday Nov. 23. The flyweight match was held in Hyogo.

On Thursday Dec. 3, minimum weights Ayaka Minao (23-8-2) and Etsuko Tada (19-3-3) meet 10 rounds for the vacant WBO world title at Tokyo. Also, minimum weights Sana Hazuki (8-4-1) and Mizuki Chimoto (2-0) meet eight rounds.

On Friday Dec. 4, minimum weights Haruko Kaneko (1-4) and Yurie Kishi (0-1) meet four rounds in Tokyo.

 

Mexico

Naomi Arellano (9-1) won by decision over Carina Moreno (25-7) after six rounds on Sunday Nov. 29. The minimum weight fight was held in Tijuana.

 

New Zealand

On Saturday Dec. 5, featherweights Mea Motu (2-0) and Ayisha Abied (0-0) meet four rounds in Auckland.

 

Nicaragua

Wendellin Cruz (2-0-1) and Jamileth Vallejos (1-3-1) fought to a draw after six rounds on Saturday Nov. 28. The bantamweight fight took place at Managua.

 

Poland

On Saturday Dec. 5, super lightweights Ewa Piatkowska (14-1) and Roza Gumienna (0-0) meet six rounds at Warsaw.

 

United Kingdom

On Friday Dec. 4, super bantamweights Shannon Courtenay (5-1) and Dorota Norek (6-1) meet six rounds at London, England. DAZN will stream.

 

USA

On Thursday Dec. 3, cruiserweights Danielle Perkins (1-0) and Princess Hairston (1-0) meet six rounds at Wild Card in Los Angeles, California.

 

(Photo by Matchroom Boxing)